Colombian Red Fin Tetra Care Guide
Hyphessobrycon columbianus is a robust Colombian tetra with a metallic blue back and red fins, an active schooler best kept in larger groups.
Overview
Hyphessobrycon columbianus, the Colombian tetra, is a stocky characin from northern Colombia, marked by a metallic blue-green body and bright red fins. It is also traded as 'blue flame', 'blue-red' and 'Colombian red fin' tetra.
Taxonomy
- Family: Characidae (order Characiformes)
- Genus: Hyphessobrycon
- Scientific name: Hyphessobrycon columbianus
Habitat
The species is native to the Rio Acandi in the Choco Department of northern Colombia, near the Panama border, where it inhabits small tropical streams (Seriously Fish, FishBase).
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L (Seriously Fish suggests a base of about 90 x 30 cm)
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (Seriously Fish reports 20-28 °C)
- pH: 6.0-7.5 (Seriously Fish reports 5.0-7.5)
- GH: 5-15 °dGH
- Maximum size: 5.0-6.5 cm (Seriously Fish); FishBase 7.0 cm TL
- School size: 8 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 4-6 years
Diet
It is a foraging omnivore. Seriously Fish recommends small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia and Artemia, alongside quality dried foods with some plant content.
Compatibility
The Colombian tetra is active and bold. It is generally peaceful but can nip slow-moving, long-finned fish, especially when kept in too small a group; groups of 8-10 reduce this. Suitable tankmates include larger tetras, Corydoras and bristlenose catfish; long-finned species and bettas are best avoided.
Breeding
It is an egg-scattering free spawner with no parental care. Seriously Fish notes a well-conditioned female may lay as many as 2000 eggs, which hatch in about 24-36 hours.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Data Deficient (assessed 2014).